I borrowed a couple of ideas from Chet Atkins when I wrote "Las Palmas". First, he told me it was a good idea to include the rhythm of the title somewhere in an instrumental. People would be more likely to remember it. You can hear him doing that in his tune "Happy Again". Then, for my intro to "Las Palmas", I adapted a rhythm lick Chet showed me when we recorded "Aranjuez" for the First Nashville Guitar Quartet project. So, two ways you can steal from Chet without copying him.

Finally, I've changed Las Palmas since I wrote it. Several players from Rocky Mountain Guitar Camp learned it and Kevin Ward noticed I wasn't playing it exactly like I had showed him. I think I've got it now...but keep an eye on me.